Typewriting machine



June 10, 1930. V NORlN 1,762,345

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1928 Patented June 10, 1930 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL E. NORIN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO UNDERWOOD ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TYPEWRITING MACHINE Application filed January 4, 1928. Serial No. 244,398.

A usual line-spacing mechanism substantially includes a ratchet or line-space wheel mounted for rotation with the platen-shaft, and a pivoted spring-pressed detent-arm carrying a detent or pressure roller to cooperate with the notches of said ratchetwheel for ordinary line-spacing of the platen. According to a feature of the invention, a hand-operated lever or bell-crank (mounted upon the platen-frame) controls the pivot of the detent-arm, so as to bodily move the same together with the ratchet-wheel in either direction from normal writing position for a fraction of a line-space. The bell-crank is retained in normal position by suitable means, while stops, preferably adjustable, are provided to accurately limit the throw of the bell-crank in each direction from normal position. Another feature resides in means to urge stops when the lever is operated for partspacing.

A feature of the invention provides inde pendent auxiliary means effective to positively and quickly return the platen from partspacing to normal writing position. To this end, a hand-operated lever may be pivoted upon the platen-frame, and is formed with a V-shaped or notch-like cam-face to co-operate with a cam-pin or cam-roller provided upon the bell-crank. The lever is normally springheld out of function, a convenient arrangement being such that depression of the lever, at will, by means of a finger-piece, urges the roller into the apex of the V-shape, which apex determines normal writing position of t e platen and excludes the danger of overrunning thesarne. p

As shown on the drawing, the controllable detent mounted upon a preteetiag ahield said operating lever against said adjustable plate to form a unit, which makes for convenient attachment and liberal adjustment upon a standard Underwood platen-frame.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the left-hand side of an Underwood platen-frame with the shield- 7 plate carrying the part-spacing mechanism attached thereto, parts being broken away to more clearly show the mechanism which is pet for neutral, i. e., for normal writing posi- Figure 2 is a view of the inner face of the shield-plate, showing the part-spacing mechanism mounted thereon as being set for exponent writing.

Figure 3 is a similar view with the partspacing mechanism shown in position for subscript writing. a

Figure 4 is a perspective view substantially taken from Figure 2, and shows the partspacing mechanism as being set for normal writing, with parts broken away for clearness.

Figure 5 is a part-sectional front elevation of the left-hand side of a platen and platenframe carrying novel part-spacing mechanism.

The left-hand side 10 of an Underwood platen-frame, see Figures 1 and 5, is shown to carry Journaled therein a shaft 11 of a platen 12 (partly shown), hubs 12 being shown upon the shaft to locate the platen within the platen-frame. Step-by-step rotation or line-space movement of the platen with the aid of the usual feed-rolls 13 will feed a work-sheet 14 across thetyping line at the front of the platen, where a type-bar 14 is to indicate the printing. Ordinary line? spaces are determined by the usual ratchetwheel 15, which is normally mounted to rotate with the platen-shaft in combination with a preferred detent-roller 16 which is resiliently held upon the platen-frame to engage in consecutive notches in said ratchet-wheel. Usual letter-feed and platen-return move ment is not indicated on the drawing, except for the platen-return handle 1.? (fractionallv ehewa), r'v'hieh, mounted upon the platenger-wheel 21, which forms the left-hand terminal of the platen-shaft.

Novel means is provided to bodily shift the detent, so as to rotate the platen fractions of a line-space in each direction from normal writingposition. To form a support for the shiftabledetent, there is provided a detachable vertical shield-plate22, which has a horizontaltop flange 23, by means of which it is screwed at 24 upon the usual top flange 25 of the side 10 of the platen-frame, so as to form a housing partly covering the linespacemechanism. The'shield-plate upon its inner face carries the controllable detent which includes said detent-roller 16 journaled in the. lower forked end of a curved detent -armg26, The upper end of said arm has, pivotalconnection at 27 with the horizontal arm of a bell-crank-lever 28. A vertical rising. arm of said bell-crank-lever terminatesin a finger-piece or handle 29, and

- has pivoted upon its outer face, a cam-roller 30, for purposes hereinafter to be described.

The bell-crank-lever 28 is of flat material and extends through a slot or perforation 31 in thetop flange 23 of the shield-plate 22, whereby a cutout 31 accommodates the passage of the handle 29 through said slot when the 'device is being assembled; The detentarm .26is normally tensioned against the ratchet-wheel by means of a torsion spring 32 .coiled arounda stud orpin 33, which'has a reduced end 34 (see Figure 5) by which to be riveted upon theside .10 of the platen frame. The stud 33 1nay be the one which heretofore has served as a stationary pivot for the detent-arm in the Underwood machines. One end of said spring 32 may rest against a pin 34 fast upon the side 10 of the platen-frame, and is accessible through an opening 35 in the shield-plate, the other end being allowed to engage in the circulargroove 35 of a roller 36, which is pivoted at 37 upon the outer face of the detent-arm 26. Adjustable stop-plates 38 are provided upon the-top flange 23 to accurately limit the throw of the bell-crank-lever 28, i. e., the amount of fractional line-spacing in either direction, each plate having a slot 39 through which extends a screw 40 threaded into said top flange 23 of the shield-plate. It will be noted that eaehstop-plate has a slightly dropping edge which engages in a hole or recess provided upon the bell-crank-lever to hold the same in neutral, that is to say, in normal writing position. By throwing the bell-crank-handle or finger-piece 29 to the left for subscript (see Figure 2), the spring-contact 41 is urged out of neutral and to engage upon an adjacent right-hand beveled cam-face 46 of said bellcrank-lever, which in turn causes the lever to firmly rest against the stop-plate 38. l Vhen operating for subscript writing (see Figure 3), the catch will correspondingly engage upon a left-hand bevelled cam-face 47 of the bell-crank-lever.

To positively and conveniently restore the bell-crank to neutral, a cam-lever 48 is provided, which may be pivot-ally mounted at the outer face of the shield-plate 22 and find its bearing upon a shoulder of the above-mentioned through-bolt 42. The cam-lever 48 is formed with a finger-piece 48 and operates in a plane parallel to the bell-cranlr-lever and adjacent thereto. The lever is formed with a substantially triangular loop 49 within which plays the above-mentioned cam-roller 30, which is provided upon the vertical arm of the bell-crank-lever and between the bellcrank-handle 29 and the top flange 23 of the shield-plate22. That part of the inside edge of said loop that has the shape of an inverted V offers a compound cam-face 50 to co-op'erate with said cam-roller 30 to return the same from Figure 2 or Figure 3 part-spacing position back to neutral. The cam-lever is normally held in an upper inoperative position by a tension-spring 51 provided between a pin. 52, fast upon a tail-extension 53 of said cam-lever 48, and another pin 54 provided upon theouter face of the shield-plate, so that theca-m-roller 30 at its extreme shift positions rests against the lower inner corners piece 48 of the cam-lever (indicated in dot and dash in Figure 1) may urge the cam-roller 30 into the apex of the V-shaped cam-face 50, thus enabling the operator, after a subscript or superscript is written, to conven-,

iently return the platenfrom Figure 2 or Fig ure 3 position back to normal writing positlon without requiring any careful attention in locating and setting the relatively small crank-lever, Subscripts and superscripts which may be obtained are shown upon the work-sheet 14 in Figure 5.

The device eliminates a source of trouble liable to be encountered with accidental faulty positioning of the platen. The mounting of the device, including said detachable shield-plate 22 and saidadjustable stops 38 thereon, offers ample opportunity for correct adjustment upon the machine. The whole structure of the device is such as to facilitate itsbeing adapted to line-space wheels of various size and character. The provision of a clutch-mechanism to disconnect the line-space wheel renders the novel attachment independent of conventional line-space detent-release devices.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1., In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotatable platen and mechanism engaged therewith forlinespacing, of fractional spacing means for rotating said platen less than a full-line distance in either direction, and a manually-operated device separate'from said means to directly engage said means and restore the same to its normal position.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotatable platen and mechanism engaged therewith for line-spacing, of fractional spacing means for rotating said platen less than a full-line distance in either direction, and a manually-operated device separate from said means to restore the same by a single movement to its normal position.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotatable platen and mechanism engaged therewith for line-spacing, of fractional spacing means including a member for rotating said platen less than a full-line distance in either direction, and a normally-operated lever havin formed therein a V-notch for directly engaging said member to restore the same to its normal position by a single movement in one direction.

4. In a typewriting machnie, the combination with a platen and a line-space wheel connected thereto, of a detent co-operative with said line-space wheel for normal linespacing of the platen, a lever movable in opposite directions from normal position and controlling said detent so as to move the same together with the line-space wheel to rotate the platen fractions of a line space in opposite directions from the typing line, adjustable means to limit the throw of the lever to less than a line-space in either direction, and means to hold said lever in normal position and in part-spacing position urged against said adjustable means.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination' with a platen and a line-space wheel connected thereto, of a detent co-operative with said line space wheel for normal linespacing of the platen, a lever movable in opposite directions from normal position and controlling said detent so as to move the same together with the line-space wheel to rotate the platen fractions of a line-space in opposite directions from the typing line, adjustable stops to limit the throw of the lever to less than a line-space in either direction, and means to retain the lever in either normal central or part-spacing position, said means including a resilient detent-member which engages in a recess upon said lever when the latter is in normal position, or engages upon beveled cam-faces provided upon said lever at either side of said recess, so as to hold said lever set against said adjustable stops.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combina tion of a platen, a line-space wheel connected thereto, means to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance less than a line-space in either direction from normal position, means to retain the platen and the line-space wheel either in normal or in part-spacing position, and auxiliary means manually operated for positively restoring the platen and the line-space wheel from partspacing position to normal.

7. Ina typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a toothed line-space wheel connected to the platen, a finger-piece movable in one plane only and in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the movement of said finger-piece to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel predetermined fractions of a line-space in opposite directions from the normal. typing line, said finger-piece settable to remain in normal central and for part-spacin g position of the platen, and independent auxiliary means manually operated for positively restoring the finger-piece from part-spacing position to normal.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a toothed linespace wheel connected to the platen, a finger-piece movable in one plane only and in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the movement of said finger-piece, to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said finger-piece settable to remain in normal central and part-spacing positions,

adjustable means to determine part-spacing movement of said finger-piece, and independent auxiliary means manually operatedfor positively restoring the finger-piece from part-spacing position to normal.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, an operating lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the v 1 10. In a typewritmg machine, the combimovement of said operating lever. to rotate termined distance less than a line-space in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable to remain in normal central and part-spacing positions, and a manually-operated pivoted cam-member operable to engage upon the lever to positively restore thesame from part-spacing to normal.

nation with a platen, of a toothed line-space Wheel connected thereto, an operating'lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the movement of said operating lever to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance, less than a single line space, in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable for normal central or for part-spacing positions, and a pivoted member formed with a V-llOtCh to serve as a cam-face, and independently engageable for urging a projection of said op erating lever into the apex oi said t -notch, when the operating lever is to be restored from either ofits part-spacing positions to normal.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, an operating lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal posit-ion, means operated by the movement of said operating lever to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance, less than a single linespace, in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable for normal central or for part-spacing positions, a pivoted member formed with a \l-notch to serve as a cam-face, and independently engageable for urging a projection of the op- K erating lever into the apex of the V-notch,

when the lever is to be restored from either of its part-spacing positions to normal, and spring means to normally hold the pivoted member out of engagement.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combi nation with a platen, of a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, an operating lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the movement of said operating lever to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance, less than a single line-space, in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable for normal central or part-spacing positions, and a pivoted member formed with a V-notch to serve as a cam-face, said pivoted member normally in inoperative position but manually operable for urginga projection of the operating lever intothe. apex of the V-notch,

when the lever is to be restored from either of its part-spacing positions to normal.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, a toothed'line-space Wheel connected thereto, an operating lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the movement of said operating lever to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance, less than a single linespace, in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable for normal central or for part-spacing positions, a depressible finger-piece, and a pivoted cammember governed by said finger-piece to op-.

eratively engage upon a projection of said operating lever to positively restore the same to normal position after the lever has been set for part-spacing. V

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, an operating lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal position, meansoperated by the movement oi said operating lever to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance, less than a single line: space, in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable for normal central or for part-spacing positions, and a pivoted member formed with a substantially triangular loop within which plays a projection of said operating lever, the base angles of said loop to determine the extreme throwvof the operating lever for part-spacing position, said member operable for urging said projection into the third angle of the loop, so as to positively restore the opcrating lever from either of its part-spacing positions to normal. e

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, an operating lever pivoted eccentrically of the platen and movable about its pivot in opposite directions from normal position, means operated by the movement of said operating lever to rotate the platen and the line-space wheel a predetermined distance, lessthan a single linespace, in opposite directions from the normal typing line, said lever settable for normal central or for part-spacing positions, a finger-piece, a pivoted cam-member which is connected with said finger-piece and formed with a substantially triangular loop within which plays a projection of said operating lever, and spring means to normally cause the apex of the loop and positively restoresthef operating lever to normal from either of its part-spacing positions.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotatable platen and mechanism engaged therewith for line-spacing, of fractional spacing means for rotating said platen less than a full-line distance in either direction, adjustable stop-plates to limit the amount of said rotation, and a manually-operated device separate from said means to directly engage the same and restore it to the normal position.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotatable platen and mechanism engaged therewith for line-spacing, of

a fractional spacing lever for rotating said platen less than a full-line distance in either direction, said lever having a pair of inclined surfaces thereon, a resilient detent effeotive to engage either of said surfaces to urge the lever into one or the other of its extreme positions, and a manually-operated device separate from said lever to restore the same to its normal position.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen mounted in a platenframe and a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, of a mounting to be fastened upon the platen-frame, an operating lever pivoted upon said mounting and which has pivotal connection with a spring-pressed detent-member which resiliently bears upon the teeth of said line-space wheel, so as to determine normal line-spaces when the operating lever is held in normal position, said operating lever shiftable and settable to positions opposite from normal position, so as to move the detent-member together with the linespace wheel, to position the platen for writing above or below the normal typing line a distance less than a normal line-space, and stop-plates adjustahly fastened upon said mounting to determine the throw of the op erating lever in either direction from normal position.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen mounted in a platenframe and a toothed line-space wheel connected thereto, of a mounting to be fastened upon the platen-frame, an operating lever pivoted upon said mounting, a spring-held detent-member having pivotal connection with said operating lever and which bears upon the teeth of said line-space wheel, so as to determine normal line-spaces when the operating lever is held in normal position, said operating lever shii'table and settable to predetermined positions opposite from normal position, so as to move the detent-member together with the line-space wheel, to position the platen for writing above or below the normal typing line a distance less than a line-space, means provided upon said mounting to retain said operating lever in normal or part-spacing position, and a handto normal.

CARL E. NORIN. 

